IMPROVING FINE MOTOR SKILLS THROUGH FOLDING, CUTTING, AND PASTING TECHNIQUES IN CHILDREN AGED 5-6 YEARS

Abstract

Fine motor skills are important skills that influence a child's readiness to enter primary education, especially in writing and academic activities. This study aims to improve children's fine motor skills through folding, cutting, and pasting (3M) activities. The method used is Kemmis & McTaggart's Classroom Action Research (CAR) model with two cycles. The research subjects were 18 children in group B of Trisula Purwari Kindergarten (9 boys, 9 girls) aged 5–6 years. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and field notes, then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The results showed a significant improvement: in cycle I, only 9 children (50%) achieved the Expected Development (ED) category, while in cycle II, this increased to 15 children (83.3%) who achieved the ED and Very Good Development (VGD) categories. Thus, the success indicator (≥75% of children reaching the BSH/BSB category) was achieved. This study proves that the 3M activity is effective as a creative learning strategy for developing fine motor skills in early childhood